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Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu visited the border line together with the defense minister, the director of the National Security Council and the head of the Israeli military’s Central Command.

According to a statement by the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office, commanders from the Israeli military, the Israel Security Agency (ISA) and the Border Police briefed Netanyahu on efforts to defend communities along the border line. The statement said defensive activities were being carried out around the clock in nearby villages to apprehend suspects, seize weapons and eliminate threats.

Speaking during the visit, Netanyahu said he was standing behind the former Tulkarm Refugee Camp and claimed the camp had previously been a “stronghold of terrorists.” Netanyahu claimed that the Israeli military entered the area on his instructions and cleared it.

Netanyahu said there was a view before Israel’s Supreme Court that residents of the area should be allowed to return, claiming that the people in question were “not residents, but terrorists.” He said the force that would retain control of the area and continue to remain there would be the Israeli military.

Netanyahu said there would be no Arab army west of the Jordan River and that the Israeli military would remain in the area. Pointing to the area’s proximity to Israel’s coastline and the city of Netanya, he said Israel was safeguarding its security from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea.

Netanyahu said there were security warnings in the area and claimed Israel’s enemies were considering testing the country ahead of the upcoming elections. He said they were prepared for every scenario, including situations that could develop into armed conflict, adding that the Israeli military had presented him and the defense minister with a strong plan.

Netanyahu said they would continue to ensure security along the border line and throughout Israel, adding that they had established more than 104 communities and numerous farms in the area.